Search

ALBANY, N.Y. – Although it’s been nearly a year since the conference announcement, with the turn of the calendar to July 1st, the University at Albany football team is now officially a part of the Colonial Athletic Association. Along with new addition Stony Brook, the Great Danes venture into the CAA for the 2013 season, joining current members Delaware, James Madison, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Richmond, Towson, Villanova, and William & Mary.

“For us, it will be a tremendous challenge,” said Head Coach Bob Ford, who ranks first among active coaches in the FCS for career victories (264-180-1) and enters his 41st varsity season at the helm this fall. “We’re moving up towards the 63 scholarship level. We’re quite a ways away from it going into this season, but we hope we will be competitive. We hope we will hold our own. We hope we can pull a couple upsets, and we hope to make our University proud.”

UAlbany wrapped up a 14-year tenure in the Northeast Conference with six championships, including a share of the title in 2012. The Great Danes also boasted the best record the program has ever seen at the Division I FCS level, going 9-2 overall last year and also ranked as high as No. 18 in the FCS Coaches Poll and No. 20 in the Sports Network Top-25.

With a strong contingent returning, including College Football Performance Award (CFPA) Watch List honorees quarterback Will Fiacchi and defensive backs Justinian Mason and Tramaine Wilson, the Great Danes look to carry over their success into the new chapter.

UAlbany has tallied a 7-5 all-time record against established CAA members, previously facing Delaware (1-1), Maine (4-2), Towson (2-1) and New Hampshire (0-1). UAlbany will also have an opportunity to expand on its rivalry with Stony Brook, having played the Seawolves 15 times in the past, accruing a 10-5 all-time record.

The CAA has proven to be one of the strongest and well respected conferences at the FCS level, as nine of the 11 teams competing in 2013 were ranked in the nation's top-25 last fall. In addition, CAA Football has produced two national championship teams, four national championship game appearances, eight semifinal appearances and more than 30 postseason wins since 2007.

UAlbany will clash with eight of the conferences' 11 teams this fall, kicking off the league slate Saturday, Sept. 14th against Rhode Island. The home-opener will also mark the program's first game at Bob Ford Field, a brand new 8,500 seat stadium.

Click here to explore seating options or purchase tickets for the upcoming season.